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The not-unexpected Manaus variant threat confronts the international community with a stark choice: either design and implement a comprehensive global strategy, or seal borders and let countries fight it out with the virus one by one. There is no effective middle way (1/4)
On paper, the choice between acting globally and closing borders is a no-brainer. Assuming a $10 unit price, vaccinating 75% of the population of the poor countries would cost a mere two-hundredth of the crisis-induced fiscal loss already incurred by advanced economies (2/4).
The fact is that COVAX, the dedicated entity, has raised only $2.4 billion and pre-ordered enough doses to vaccinate a billion people in 2021, and that it is still at pains to raise the additional $5 billion needed to finance its rather unambitious program. Much too little (3/4).
Why this big failure? Short-sightedness, free-riding and messy governance of global health are the three main reasons. The Manaus alert should trigger a different type of international action. A major test for #Biden's leadership. My @ProSyn column (4/4). https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/manaus-virus-highlights-rich-countries-self-interest-by-jean-pisani-ferry-2021-01